Important Phone Call

Important Phone Call

Friday 22^nd February I was chilling about just about to start some more work on my PPD file, but then my mobile started ringing and it was  “PHOTOSTORE”  I panicked thinking about all the equipment I’d borrowed over the past couple weeks worrying if I didn’t take something back or something had broke, but no it was a very different kind of phone call!

Christian has a photographer friend who was in college on Friday just enquiring about some kit, Christian asked if Kevin Gibson had any tips on food photography and told him about my situation. He said I was just getting into food photography and I have plenty contacts just not enough knowledge or confidence.

Kevin said the best thing for me to do would be to come and give him a hand at a food shoot at The Assembly Rooms, which he was going to in the afternoon. When Christian told me this I jumped at the chance, I had possibly the quickest shower on record & ran for the bus.

When I got there I was nervous but excited, knowing that he was Christian’s friend put me a bit at ease cause I think he’s a good judge in character. Anyway I texted Kevin saying I was here but then I thought “Oh how silly Steph he’ll be too busy to check his phone!” So I went in to ask the receptionist and she said he’d been expecting me.

As I walked in there was a quite a large table top scoop high key set up with 5 people standing watching Kevin. He was warming polite and friendly. I felt very nervous as I gave Fiona a handshake to be polite and I don’t think she was quite expecting it.

Kevin was working away, I was fascinated how much mess there was, not in a bad way but how much room and space the shoot took up. I was really shy around Kevin for quite a while cause I just felt in the way. He’d show me what he was photographing and talk me through how many lights he was using, why he was using them, what reflectors he needed and talk me through what would be happening.

I picked up on a lot, I learned that salad gets replaced with fresher salad just before you take the final shot so its fresh and looks appetising.

I learned that breadcrumbs go everywhere, so taking a paint brush to brush crumbs away is essential.

 I learned that you could never have too many teaspoons as Kevin was constantly on the hunt for one.

Reflectors to bounce light back in is a massive part of filing in gaps, also is being random. 

Once Kevin explained that you need to be random with food, for example random herbs on the top of a chili, you need to have an odd number or it doesn’t sit well visually. He also mentioned that if there is any shadows or holes that’s where your eyes draw to first so you must cover any holes and bounce light back into the food to avoid shadows.

I did take a few pics on my blackberry but they aren’t great quality as I was rushing around. During the shoot I was holding a tablecloth over the set to avoid shadows, running around finding teaspoons, searching for blue tac, holding up reflectors and when appropriate asking Kevin questions.

He seemed happy enough to answer my questions, I asked if he used photoshop and he said that’s only really for emergencies but really you should get it right in camera every time. I completely agree with this, not just because I’m  not great with photoshop but because you want your client to be happy there and then not relying on photoshop to solve issues that could have been resolved there & then.

When packing up he did mention if there was anything I wasn’t sure on make sure I ask cause breaking equipment would be a huge loss in costs and honesty is the best policy.

After I helped pack away the equipment he offered me a lift home, usually I would have said no but because he was going that way anyway and we did get chatting I accepted. I was amazed that Kevin knew so many people that I did so it did make the experience less formal and more chatty. 

He’s offered me to go on my shoots with him, which I’m really excited about because I do think I’d pick up a lot.